So what silly question about SW..So do you think

[ctc917]

with SW waiting so long to open up their flights that people will have all ready booked on another airline just so they have flights for their trip? Anyone getting nervous?

I guess the reason why I'm asking this is that Im booked to go to WDW on Aug 15-20 and if SW doesnt open up soon I think I might have to book on another airline just so Im sure to have flights, what is everyone else doing? Waiting for SW and hoping the best? So how much off are they from when they opened up Aug/Sept last year, does anyone know?

ctc917

 

[tmt martins]

Well they aren't going to just go away they will open the prices will be about the same as when opened now as far as price groupings and times.

So it might be better that everyone else is booking other flights and not waiting.

 

[cepmom]

DH and I have a cruise booked for 8/30 - 9/3...we are waiting it out for SW. The other airlines are too expensive now so I'm really hoping SW will be reasonable. Every day the other airlines get higher and higher. I think it has to do with the Delta situation....maybe waiting to see if they strike and then release the fares for more $$ because Delta will not be an option anymore

 

[lpbm4]

I'm nervous waiting for a flight in early *DECEMBER*!! But my friend reassures me constantly that we *WILL* find a great deal!!! There was just a $52 Ding from Chicago to Orlando!!!! Hope we get that rate!!! For that, I'm willing to wait.

 

[LWcalif]

I was one of the "nervous" ones. Ended up booking a flight on AA for $264. Best Southwest ever does from Calif. is $99 ea. way + tx and fees, which would have been roughly the same as AA. I held out as long as I could. My BC ressie w/free dining got the best of me. As much as I am a true SWA fan, I couldn't take the chance this time. SWA only has one flight each way that only had one connector, so chances are that those flights will be higher when they finally come out anyway. First time on AA. Hope I won't be dissapointed.

 

[Moose for Sprite]

Waiting for a ding!

 

[NotUrsula]

I routinely buy airfare for SWA vacation trips about 6-8 weeks out, and almost always get their rock-bottom fares. The only dates that I would be concerned with jumping on as soon as they are released would be major holiday travel dates, such as the night before Thanksgiving, Sunday after Thanksgiving, etc. (Generally speaking, I make it a point to arrange my travel so that I *don't* travel on those nightmarishly-crowded travel days, especially the ones when snow might be possible.)

BTW, SWA doesn't do this to torture passengers. They do it to keep costs down. Releasing only about one calendar quarter at a time helps them with planning schedules, staffing, supplies, etc. -- once they announce the schedule, it does not change within that date range, and they don't have to spend time and staff money dealing with notifying ticketed passengers of changes to the flight schedule, or rearranging reservations when those changes cause problems. The only time SWA will cancel flights will be for weather situations or ground stops.

 

[cepmom]

I routinely buy airfare for SWA vacation trips about 6-8 weeks out, and almost always get their rock-bottom fares. The only dates that I would be concerned with jumping on as soon as they are released would be major holiday travel dates, such as the night before Thanksgiving, Sunday after Thanksgiving, etc. (Generally speaking, I make it a point to arrange my travel so that I *don't* travel on those nightmarishly-crowded travel days, especially the ones when snow might be possible.)

would you consider Labor Day weekend one of those times to jump on right away? We need a return flight home on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Also, by waiting 6 - 8 weeks out, are you getting Ding! fares or are you booking the regular fares listed on SW website? TIA...I'm new to SW and still trying to figure it all out.

 

[kldmom2000]

Just my theory... but I'm wondering if they're waiting to see if Delta DOES go on strike next week or not... they could always raise their fares too because people will be desperate to get to their destinations if that's the case??? Just my theory....

 

[pamjb]

would you consider Labor Day weekend one of those times to jump on right away? We need a return flight home on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Also, by waiting 6 - 8 weeks out, are you getting Ding! fares or are you booking the regular fares listed on SW website? TIA...I'm new to SW and still trying to figure it all out.

Something that i have learned from the great people here is to book each part of your trip separately. Do 2 one way trips rather than 1 round trip.
I need to return the Saturday before Labor Day. But I don't leave for Florida till 8/26. The chances of me getting a Ding! for my Tuesday flight is way higher than for my Saturday holiday weekend flight. This way I won't screw up my return flight to get a good fare when it comes out.
As soon as SW opens their schedule to include these dates, I am booking the fares. WE are going on the cruise, so those plans are set. I love SW for it nonstop flights.

 

[Lewisc]

Just my theory... but I'm wondering if they're waiting to see if Delta DOES go on strike next week or not... they could always raise their fares too because people will be desperate to get to their destinations if that's the case??? Just my theory....

Not just the fares, SW may be deciding which routes should have flights added and which routes should be reduced.

 

[deltachi8]

they really arent waiting, historicall they release the schedule when they hit about 105 days out or so...that would put the date at April 20.

 

[NotUrsula]

would you consider Labor Day weekend one of those times to jump on right away? We need a return flight home on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Also, by waiting 6 - 8 weeks out, are you getting Ding! fares or are you booking the regular fares listed on SW website? TIA...I'm new to SW and still trying to figure it all out.

I would consider the Friday pm and the Monday pm of Labor Day weekend to be "grab it quick" travel days, but not the Sunday.

Sometimes I buy Ding fares, sometimes regular weekly specials, and sometimes systemwide sales. We're very cheap about this, so we never decide dates before we shop for tickets; we only go when we find a sale.